Tesco has increased its craft beer range by nearly a third to over 70 beers as it looks to benefit from the growing trend for craft beer across the country.

FOOD & DRINK

Tesco increases craft beer range

11 April 2017 | by The Retail Bulletin

Tesco has increased its craft beer range by nearly a third to over 70 beers as it looks to benefit from the growing trend for craft beer across the country.

Having expanded its craft beer range last year to more than 400 stores, the extended range will include beers from 30 breweries in places such as Cornwall, Whitstable Bay and Scotland, and from as far afield as Sweden, Japan and the USA.

Tesco will also become the first major retailer to stock sour beer. Sour beers are intentionally acidic and tart, and are most commonly seen in Belgium.

Tesco craft beer buyer Chloe Harrison, explained: “Britain’s thirst for craft beer shows no sign of slowing down. It’s a drink that is popular with both millennial and older drinkers looking for a more artisan experience and exciting flavours.

"We’ve scoured the globe to bring a range together which we hope will satisfy all tastes, and are thrilled to be able to introduce customers to some fantastic new beers from both little-known and highly recognisable breweries.

“And our new sour beer is the jewel in our crown. With summer just around the corner, its wonderful thirst-quenching quality and is perfect for drinkers looking for palate-tingling flavours.

“We think that sour brews are destined to become the next frontier for beer lovers, in the same way that golden ale helped convert die hard lager lovers over to light and refreshing ales.”

Brewed by Thornbridge Brewery in Derbyshire, Tesco’s tart sour beer is priced at £1.90 and is available in store and online.

Tesco has seen its annual growth for craft beers increase by more than 40% and is allocating an extra 350% of shelf space in its beer aisles for the products.

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